2nd Judicial District Nominees

The Governor has received a slate of six nominees to fill two vacancies in the office of District Court in the 2nd Judicial District. These vacancies were created pursuant to HB 07-1054.

Below is more information on the nominees.

Ross B. H. Buchanan of Denver is currently a shareholder with Roberts Levin Rosenberg, P.C., concentrating on personal injury (70%), employment litigation (5%), commercial litigation (5%), and insurance litigation (20%). He was previously an attorney with the Buchanan Law Firm, LLC (2008-2009), Buchanan, Jurdem & Cederberg, P.C. (1993-2008); Greene, Broillet & Wheeler (1987-1990); Buchanan, Gray Purvis & Schuetze (1985-1987 and 1990-1993); Sherman & Howard (1981-1985); and the Federal Defender Program (1980). He received his B.A. from Occidental College (1978) and his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law (1982).

John Eric Elliff of Denver is currently an equity partner at Husch Blackwell, LLP, where he specializes in intellectual property (50%) and commercial cases (50%). Prior to his current position, Mr. Elliff worked at Morrison Foerster LLP in Denver (1987-2009) as an associate (1987-1996), partner (1996-2001), and managing partner of the Denver office (2002-2009). Mr. Elliff received his B.S. from Washington University, St. Louis (1984) and his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law (1987).

Alan Bruce Jones of Denver is has been a partner at Holland & Hart, LLP since 1988. His practice includes civil litigation and appellate practice; approximately 98% trials and appeals and 2% counseling on privacy and defamation issues. Prior to joining Holland & Hart, Mr. Jones served as a law clerk to Hon. Will Garwood of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1981-1982). Mr. Jones received his B.A. from Texas A&M University (1978) and his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law (1981).

Elizabeth Demberg Leith of Denver is currently Magistrate-Judge for the 2nd Judicial District, where she has served since 1999. Issues that come before her include civil discovery disputes, liquidation of damages, foreclosure issues, child support, post-decree related matters, and other issues. Prior to becoming a magistrate, she was an Assistant City Attorney for Denver, Human Services Section (1991-1998), Deputy District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District, Child Enforcement Unit (1989-1991), private practice attorney (1989), and associate attorney for Sandra J. Plaff, Esq., (1988-1989). Magistrate Leith received her B.A. from Metropolitan State College (1982) and her J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law (1988).

Norman Ray Mueller of Denver is currently a shareholder with Haddon, Morgan and Foreman, P.C., where he has practiced since 1983. His practice consists of criminal defense (70%), civil litigation (20%), and professional licensing defense (10%). Prior to his current position, Mr. Mueller was a partner with Allen, Foreman & Mueller (1980-1983) and an attorney with the Colorado State Public Defender (1974-1980), where he was the Chief Appellate Deputy from 1978-1980. Mr. Mueller earned his B.A. from the University of Kansas (1971) and his J.D. from Yale Law School (1974).

Christine Alexandra Washburn of Denver is currently a Chief Deputy District Attorney with the Denver District Attorney’s Office. She has been a Chief Deputy since 2008, and a Deputy since 1999. Her practice is 100% criminal prosecution. Prior to joining the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Washburn was a Special Deputy District Attorney in Boulder (1998-1999). Ms. Washburn earned her B.A. from the University of Colorado (1995) and her J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law (1998).